4 Best Places To Visit In Bolpur-Shantiniketan (West Bengal)

Santiniketan is one of the most visited places in West Bengal. Located in Bolpur, this place is brimming with colors, heritage, culture, and an essence of traditionality.

It is the place where Kabiguru Rabindranath Tagore has spent quite a few years of his life. The soulful site is wrapped in nature and holds many things. Not just the world-famous Viswa Bharati University, too many elements are there apart from that which are worth noticing.

Bolpur is known for its serene atmosphere, surrounded by red soil and lush greenery. There are several attractions around the place that will enrich your mind and soul with art, literature, nature, and spirituality. Take out time and visit Santiniketan to indulge in the magnificent beauty of the location. Invite your friends and family to tag along with you to cherish sightseeing around the place.

In this article, you will get to know the following places to visit in Bolpur-Shantiniketan,

Sonajhuri Haat
Srijani Shilpagram
Tagore’s Ashram
Uttarayan Complex

Let’s see each of these points in detail.

1. Sonajhuri Haat

Nestle in the quaint forest of Sonajhuri, the Haat is unique and is always bustling with people. It is organized on the bank of the Kopai River and was started to promote the rural artisan, the tribal dances, and the ‘Baul Gaan’ of the region. The word ‘Haat’ generally means a rural market under the open sky.

Sonajhuri Haat covers a large area of the forest and here you can find a variety of interesting items. The site has a mesmerizing atmosphere. The thick tree cover and the sun rays seeping through the canopy give the place a scenic look.

As soon as you reach the location, you will hear the mild sound of ‘Madol’ and many other traditional musical instruments. The red soil alleys will lead you to the different stalls and attractions. You can shop for different designs of blouses, Madhubani print sarees, handmade earrings, bangles, necklaces, and many other things. It is simply mindboggling to see the diversity and creativity of the products.

Travel during the winter and spring seasons to enjoy mild weather. Choose and shop to your heart’s content, enjoy the cultural performances, and soak in the natural beauty.

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MORE ABOUT SONAJHURI HAAT

2. Srijani Shilpagram

Srijani Shilpagram is an Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre’s Cultural village that takes up an area of 26 acres. It is a unique exhibition that showcases lifestyle, craftsman’s homes, and many other things related to India’s Eastern and North Eastern states.

The place has nine museums built in the form of huts. Each hut represents the nine states: Bihar, Jharkhand, Assam, Manipur, Sikkim, Tripura, Odisha, Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and West Bengal.

Inside the huts, you can find nearly 1000 objects that showcase each state’s rich history, traditions, and identity. The earthen, hay, and bamboo cottages also exhibit murals on the walls.

A number of things are there to be seen, learned, and felt. Make a trip during the winter months and enjoy the most, as the temperatures remain subtle at this time. You can immerse yourself in the amazing diversity and heritage of this region of India.

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3. Tagore’s Ashram

Established in 1863 by Maharshi Debendranath Tagore, the father of the Nobel laureate poet Rabindranath Tagore, the Ashram is a heritage site that reflects the legacy of Kabiguru.

The site is well preserved and narrates the story of Rabindranath Tagore’s life through his writings, paintings, and personal belongings. The place is serene with a warm and cosy ambiance. A certain stillness winds around the place, despite being visited by so many people.

The Ashram was originally meant to propagate ‘Brahmo Dharma’, a reformist movement of Hinduism that emerged in the late 19th century. In 1901, it was transformed into an open-air school for children, where they could learn in harmony with nature.

A ton of other things are there to be explored as the history will be lying open in front of you. The ideal time to visit the ashram is from November to March. It is open almost throughout the year, except on Wednesdays.

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4. Uttarayan Complex

Timings	10:00 AM to 5:00 PM (Sunday and Monday closed)
Entry Fee	₹20 for adults; ₹10 for kids (may vary)

This is one of the most famous tourist spots located in Santiniketan. The complex is the site where Rabindranath Tagore used to live. The marvelous structure of the Uttarayan Complex is segregated into various buildings.

Each of the buildings shows distinct styles of architecture. The complex consists of Udayan, Konark, Shyamali, Punascha, and Udichi. All the buildings reflect the life and the great work of Kabi Guru.

There is art and culture throughout the entire space and in every detail, the contribution of the great poet can be seen. When you look at the complex, you will get to witness the flawless amalgamation of Western concepts and the traditional Bengali styles of architecture.

The Complex also houses the Rabindra Bhavan Museum with several books, writings, artifacts, and lots of other items that belonged to the poet. Amidst the stunning walkways and the lavish gardens, there is the motor car that belonged to Rabindranath Tagore himself. The vintage still stands gloriously and gives the vision of how it was used at that period.

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These are some of the popular attractions to visit in Bolpur-Shantiniketan.

There is more to the place than you can ever think! The calmness of the place is intoxicating. The roads, the alleys, and the beautiful neighborhood, everything makes it extraordinary.

Plan an outing to Santiniketan and live the day to the fullest reliving the history in the present day. You can avail the public transport, rental cars, or your own cars to reach the location and make the most out of your day.

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